San Diego Chargers nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin expected to be out for considerable period – NFL News
San Diego Chargers will have to play without nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin, who is out for coming few weeks, according to the team’s head coach Norv Turner.
Turner made the announcement during a press conference on Monday, November 12, 2012, and said that the player could likely miss up to two weeks.
Franklin got a deep bone bruise after making a tackle in the second quarter of Week 10 game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers which they lost by 24-34.
The nose tackle himself was unable to recognise at that time that he had got an injury. Talking after the game, Franklin said:
“It was kind of funny, I made the tackle and got up and I felt weak. I thought maybe it had gotten banged up or something, but then it seemed like it was more than that. I’ve never (experienced) something like this before. I’m going to leave it in the
hands of my training staff.”
It is a big setback for the Chargers’ elite running defence as Franklin has not missed many games in his 10-year illustrious career.
Last week’s game was Franklin’s 73rd consecutive game which shows how valuable the 32-year old is to the team.
Franklin has indicated that even though he will not participate in the team drills during practice session, he will definitely attend the team’s classroom session to help with making schemes for their upcoming Week 11 game against Denver Broncos. Franklin
said:
“I’m going to continue in the same way as I always prepare every week. It will be like it’s any other week. We do a lot together as a D-Line unit as far as studying film and tendencies in our opponent every week.”
Franklin is currently going through his one-year contract that was given to him by Chargers in the offseason. In nine games this season, the nose tackle has compiled 12 tackles while also competing against double team.
Chargers defence is currently ranked second in the league for rushing yards allowed with the average of 82.9 yards allowed per game.
In absence of Franklin, Chargers are likely to play with defensive tackle Antonio Garay or nose tackle Cam Thomas.
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